Method of and apparatus for recording fuel supplied to a vehicle
First Claim
1. In combination a vehicle including a vehicle fuel tank having an inlet and a fuel measuring device mounted on the inlet to the vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising:
- a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank;
a processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank;
a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank;
and a connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel measuring device, for mounting on the inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, has a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank. A processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank and a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank, are provided. A connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle. A signal from a sender unit of a vehicle fuel tank may be used. A related method enables fuel usage to be tracked by, for example, the renter of a vehicle, and a further related method provides improved fuel gauges for use in fleets of rental cars.
35 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. In combination a vehicle including a vehicle fuel tank having an inlet and a fuel measuring device mounted on the inlet to the vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising:
-
a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank; a processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank; a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank; and a connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. In combination a fuel measuring device and a vehicle, the fuel measuring device being mounted on the vehicle and being connected to a signal from a sender unit of a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising:
-
a processor for determining amounts of fuel supplied to the vehicle from increases in the fuel level in the fuel tank indicated by the signal from the sender unit; a data storage device, connected to the processor, for recording data indicative of the fuel amounts supplied to the vehicle; and a connector for enabling the stored data to be transferred to another device remote from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of renting a vehicle and recording fuel volume, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(1) recording a start odometer reading; (2) completing a rental agreement with a customer; (3) during a term of the rental agreement, recording fuel supplied to the vehicle; (4) on return of the vehicle at the end of the rental agreement, recording an end odometer reading, and from the start and end odometer readings determining a total distance traveled; (5) from total distance travelled and an expected fuel consumption rate, calculating an expected total fuel consumption figure for the term of rental agreement; (6) at the end of the rental agreement, recording total fuel supplied to the vehicle during the term of the agreement; (7) comparing total fuel supplied to the vehicle with the expected volume of fuel supplied to a vehicle, to determine if adequate fuel has been supplied to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
-
-
12. In combination a vehicle and a fuel measuring device mounted on an inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising a sensor for measuring fuel supplied to the vehicle, a data store for storing the fuel data, and a connector or display for enabling transmission of the data to another device for use externally of the vehicle.
Specification